To break the ice, Brenda Elsagher has three words for you:

"Rectum, rectum, rectum."

That is the part of her body Elsagher had removed because of cancer.

"When people don't want to be embarrassed, they say colon cancer," said the 47-year-old Burnsville resident.

It didn't at first, but cancer comedy now comes easily to Elsagher, a humorist, speaker and author.

Elsagher will sign copies of her 2003 book, "If the Battle is Over, Why Am I Still Here?" March 24 at Barnes and Noble in Burnsville. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Elsagher's book on humor as a "survival tactic" in her battle with cancer has become part of a second career that includes two to four speaking engagements a month.

Elsagher also owns a hair salon in Bloomington. Cutting hair was OK, but around age 39 Elsagher endeavored to try the stand-up comedy she so enjoyed watching before turning 40.

"I put that on the back burner because I had a whole year to work on it, and I work well under pressure," Elsagher said. "Three months later I was diagnosed with cancer."

And she had thought it was just her hemorrhoids.

"I said, 'Well, don't you need your rectum?' " Elsagher told her doctor, whom she nicknamed the Rear Admiral. "He said, 'You'll have a permanent colostomy.' I said, 'The baggie thing?' He said, 'Yeah.' "

Bring it on, Elsagher thought as she came to grips with her options, which were none. A hysterectomy and vaginal reconstruction came with the deal.

"So I had four months of recuperation," she said. "During that time, one of my sisters said, 'What about that goal of yours to become a comedian?' "

She took a class at the Acme Comedy Co. in Minneapolis.

"I really pushed myself to learn how to do comedy," Elsagher said. "It was way more difficult than I thought. The teacher, Bill Bauer, said it takes a comedian about a year to write 10 good minutes of material. I think he's right."

She found material in her husband, Bahgat, a native Egyptian, and his foibles in adjusting to American life.

"Like trying to mow the lawn with a snowblower," Bahgat offered. "It's real life."

The couple's two children, John and Hannah, also came into the picture, said Elsagher, a Catholic who married a Muslim.

"We talk about our kids being 'Muslics' and how they face east when they say the Rosary," said Elsagher, who attends Mary, Mother of the Church in Burnsville.

"I used to joke about it to my customers. They said, 'How are you going to raise your children?' I said, 'Neurotic.' Then once in prayer I decided I should quit joking about it. They're going to be raised in two great faiths."

Cancer comedy wasn't easy at first, said Elsagher, whose performing and speaking venues have included hospitals, clinics, churches, comedy clubs and conferences.

But the life story inevitably found its way to the podium.

"Rectum, rectum, rectum!" she often says to introduce her topic to audiences, which have included nurse's groups and cancer survivors.

"We have such a thing about our rectums being such shy, horrible parts of our bodies, but they're so important," Elsagher said. "And you know it when you don't have one anymore."

The stories became a book, which Elsagher began writing as a project for a college course. "I found myself sitting at the computer for six to eight hours a day," said Elsagher, whose book is published by Expert Publishing Inc. of Andover. "I realized how much energy I was getting from writing."

The book has sold 2,300 copies. A second printing is being sponsored by Hollister Inc., a producer of ostomy and skin-care products.

"Good humor always has pathos in it," said Elsagher, who no longer gets nervous before going onstage.

"Compared to having your rectum removed, no," she said. "I have that milestone now."

Elsagher will sign copies of her book at 7 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 828 W. County Road 42. Her Web site is www.brendabringsjoy.com.

John Gessner is at burnsville.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.